Seat device

ABSTRACT

In a configuration in which a holder holding a controller is mounted on a seat part with a plate-shaped member, the exposure of the mounting part of the plate-shaped member on which the holder is mounted is eliminated. A seat device includes a pressure sensor measuring a value relating to the seated person&#39;s state, a vibration imparting device performing a vibration imparting operation, an ECU controlling the vibration imparting device corresponding to the measurement result of the pressure sensor, a holder holding the ECU, and a mounting bracket fixed to a lower frame such that the holder is mounted on the lower frame of a seat part. The mounting bracket includes a mounting projection on which side wall of the holder is mounted in a predetermined mounting direction. When the side wall is mounted on the mounting projection, the mounting projection is covered with the side wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/225,245, filed Apr. 8, 2021, which, in turn, is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/461,833(now U.S. Pat. No.10,973,334), filed on May 17, 2019, which, in turn, is a National StageEntry of PCT Application Ser. No. PCT/JP2017/035151, filed Sep. 28,2017. Further, this application claims priority from Japanese PatentApplication Serial Number JP 2016-225357, filed Nov. 18, 2016, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a seat device, and particularly to aseat device having a seat part, a sensor, a moving device, and a controlmechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Among seat devices having a chair or a seat part, such as a seat, thereare some seat devices mounted with a sensor that senses the state of aseated person seated on the seat part (e.g. the wakefulness level).There are also seat devices including a device (a moving device) thatperforms a predetermined operation suitable for the state of a seatedperson. In such seat devices, a control mechanism is usually provided.The control mechanism controls the moving device corresponding to themeasurement result of the above-described sensor.

In the seat device including the above-described control mechanism, thecontrol mechanism is sometimes mounted at a predetermined position inthe seat part. In specific description taking an example, in a chair ofPatent Literature 1, an ECU (Electrical Control Unit) that is a controlmechanism is held on a holder. The chair described in Patent Literature1 is configured in which the holder holding the ECU is screwed on theunder surface of the seat part and hence the ECU is mounted on the seatpart through the holder.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PATENT LITERATURE 1: JP 2016-185256

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

As a method of mounting a control mechanism on a seat part through aholder, a method can be thought with which a plate-shaped member, suchas a bracket, is fixed to a seat part and a holder holding the controlmechanism is mounted on a predetermined part (a mounting part) of theplate-shaped member. In the case in which such a configuration isadopted, from the viewpoint of ensuring the quality of the seat device,the importance is to minimize the exposure of the mounting part of theplate-shaped member on which the holder is mounted.

In the case in which the control mechanism is mounted on the seat partusing the above-described plate-shaped member, desirably, the holderholding the control mechanism is easily mounted on the plate-shapedmember.

Therefore, the present invention is made in view of the problems. Anobject is to provide a seat device that can eliminate the exposure ofthe mounting part of a plate-shaped member on which a holder is mountedin the configuration in which the holder holding a control mechanism ismounted on a seat part with the plate-shaped member.

Another object of the present invention is to more easily mount a holderholding a control mechanism in mounting the holder on a seat part with aplate-shaped member.

Solution to Problem

The problems are solved by a seat device according to the presentinvention, the seat device including a seat part on which a seatedperson is seated, a sensor configured to measure a measurement valuerelating to a state of the seated person seated on the seat part, amoving device having a moving part, the moving device being configuredto perform an operation of moving the moving part, a control mechanismconfigured to control the operation of the moving device correspondingto a measurement result of the sensor, a holder holding the controlmechanism, and a plate-shaped member fixed to the seat part such thatthe holder is mounted on the seat part. The plate-shaped member includesa mounting part on which a mounted part of the holder is mounted in apredetermined mounting direction. In a state in which the mounted partis mounted on the mounting part, the mounting part is covered with themounted part in the mounting direction.

In the seat device according to the present invention thus configured,in mounting the holder holding the control mechanism on the seat partusing the plate-shaped member, the mounted part of the holder is mountedon the mounting part of the plate-shaped member in a predeterminedmounting direction. In the state in which the mounted part is mounted onthe mounting part, the mounting part is covered with the mounted part inthe mounting direction. That is, in the state in which the controlmechanism is mounted on the seat part, the exposure of the mounting partof the plate-shaped member is eliminated by the holder (strictlyspeaking, the mounted part).

In the above-described seat device, the mounting part may have a firstmounting part and a second mounting part formed at positions apart fromeach other in the mounting direction. The plate-shaped member may have aplate-shaped member fixing part formed such that the plate-shaped memberis fixed to the seat part. The plate-shaped member fixing part may beformed between the first mounting part and the second mounting part inthe mounting direction.

In the above-described configuration, the plate-shaped member fixingpart is formed between the first mounting part and the second mountingpart of the plate-shaped member. In other words, the first mounting partand the second mounting part are provided on the outer side of theplate-shaped member fixing part in the mounting direction. With such aconfiguration, the situations are easily avoided in which problems arecaused on the work that mounts the mounted part of the holder on themounting parts due to fixing the plate-shaped member to the seat part atthe plate-shaped member fixing part.

In the above-described seat device, a lower portion of the seat part mayhave a frame. The plate-shaped member may have an engaging part engagedwith an edge portion of the frame with the plate-shaped member fixed tothe seat part. The engaging part maybe engaged with the edge portion ofthe frame in an engaging direction intersecting with the mountingdirection.

In the above-described configuration, the plate-shaped member has theengaging part, and the above-described engaging part is engaged with theedge portion of the frame of the seat part with the plate-shaped memberfixed to the seat part. With such a configuration, the plate-shapedmember can be fixed to the frame while the attitude of the plate-shapedmember is stabilized.

In the above-described seat device, the engaging part may have a firstengaging part and a second engaging part formed at positions apart fromeach other in the mounting direction. The plate-shaped member may have acontact part in contact with an under surface of the frame with theplate-shaped member fixed to the seat part. The contact part may have afirst contact part and a second contact part formed at positions apartfrom each other in the mounting direction. A first joining rib extendingso as to join the first engaging part to the first contact part and asecond joining rib extending so as to join the second engaging part tothe second contact part may be provided on the plate-shaped member.

In the above-described configuration, the engaging part of theplate-shaped member has the first engaging part and the second engagingpart. The plate-shaped member has the first contact part and the secondcontact part as the contact parts that are in contact with the undersurface of the frame with the plate-shaped member fixed to the seatpart. The first joining rib joining the first engaging part to the firstcontact part and the second joining rib joining the second engaging partto the second contact part are provided on the plate-shaped member. Withsuch a configuration, the rigidity of the engaging parts and the contactparts can be improved. Thus, the engaging parts appropriately keep theengaging state with the edge portion of the frame of the seat part. Thecontact parts appropriately keep the state in contact with the undersurface of the frame.

In the above-described seat device, a front end portion of the seat partmay have a portion overhanging downward. In the front end portion of theseat part, the portion overhanging downward may be located on a frontside of a front end of the holder, and the portion overhanging downwardmay cover at least a part of the front end of the holder in a front toback direction of the seat part.

In the above-described configuration, the front end portion of the seatpart has the portion overhanging downward, and the portion covers a partof the front end of the holder. That is, according to theabove-described configuration, the front end of the holder can beprotected using a part of the front end portion of the seat part.

In the above-described seat device, the mounting direction may be adirection along a front to back direction of the seat part or along awidth direction of the seat part. The mounting part may protrude along avertical direction of the seat part with the plate-shaped member fixedto the seat part.

In the above-described configuration, in the plate-shaped member, themounting part protrudes along the vertical direction of the seat part.In mounting the mounted part of the holder on the mounting part of theplate-shaped member, the mounted part of the holder is mounted along thefront to back direction of the seat part or along the width direction ofthe seat part. With such a configuration, the mounted part can be moreeasily mounted compared with the configuration in which the mounted partis mounted on the mounting part along the vertical direction of the seatpart.

In the above-described seat device, a battery configured to supplyelectric power to the moving device may be included. The holder may holdthe moving device and the battery together with the control mechanism.

In the above-described configuration, the holder holding the controlmechanism also serves as a member holding the moving device and thebattery. With such a configuration, the number of components (the numberof the holders) can be made much smaller compared with the configurationin which the holders are provided individually to the control mechanism,the moving device, and the battery.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the seat device of the present invention, in the state inwhich the holder holding the control mechanism is mounted on the seatpart using the plate-shaped member, the exposure of the mounting part ofthe plate-shaped member can be eliminated by the holder.

According to the seat device of the present invention, the situationsare easily avoided in which problems are caused on the work that mountsthe mounted part of the holder on the mounting part due to fixing theplate-shaped member to the seat part at the plate-shaped member fixingpart.

According to the seat device of the present invention, the plate-shapedmember can be fixed to the frame while the attitude of the plate-shapedmember is stabilized.

According to the seat device of the present invention, the rigidity ofthe engaging part and the contact part can be improved. Thus, theengaging part appropriately keeps the engaging state with the edgeportion of the frame of the seat part, and the contact partappropriately keeps the contact state with the under surface of theframe.

According to the seat device of the present invention, the front end ofthe holder can be protected using a part of the front end portion of theseat part.

According to the seat device of the present invention, in mounting themounted part of the holder on the mounting part of the plate-shapedmember, the mounted part is mounted along the front to back direction ofthe seat part or along the width direction of the seat part. Thus, themounted part can be more easily mounted compared with the configurationin which the mounted part is mounted on the mounting part along thevertical direction of the seat part.

In the seat device according to the present invention, the holderholding the control mechanism also serves as a member holding the movingdevice and the battery. Thus, the number of components (the number ofthe holders) is made much smaller compared with the configuration inwhich the holders are provided individually to the control mechanism,the moving device, and the battery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outside of a seat deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an outside view of a seat part.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of the configuration of the seat part.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing positions at which devicesaround the seat part are disposed.

FIG. 4 is a view of the front end portion of the seat part when viewedfrom the lateral side.

FIG. 5 is a view of a holder holding a control mechanism when viewedfrom above.

FIG. 6 is a view of the holder holding a battery when viewed from below.

FIG. 7 is a view relating to a method of holding the control mechanism,a moving device, and the battery on the holder.

FIG. 8 is a view relating to a method of mounting the holder on theframe of the seat part using a plate-shaped member.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the plate-shaped member.

FIG. 9B is a front view of the plate-shaped member.

FIG. 10 is a view of the holder mounted on the frame of the seat partwhen viewed from above.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the area around the plate-shaped memberof FIG. 3 .

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, a seat device according to an embodiment (the presentembodiment) of the present invention will be described. The seat deviceaccording to the embodiment is configured in which a sensor thatmeasures measurement values changing corresponding to the wakefulnesslevel of a seated person, a device that operates corresponding to themeasurement result of the sensor and equipment relating to the deviceare installed on a typical chair or a seat. According to the seat deviceof the embodiment, when the wakefulness level of the seated person islowered, a change in the wakefulness level is sensed, theabove-described device is operated corresponding to the wakefulnesslevel, and then an appropriate stimulus is imparted to the seatedperson. Thus, the wakefulness level of the seated person can be improved(restored).

In the following, a seat device configured in which the above-describedsensor or device, for example, is installed on a typical office chair istaken as an example, and the configuration of the seat device will bedescribed. Note that the embodiment described below is merely anexample. Instead of the office chair, a seat device may be configuredusing conveyance seats used for conveyances, such as vehicles, ships, orair crafts, or using seats placed in buildings, such as facilities.

Note that in the following description, the positions, attitudes, andorientations of the component members of the seat device are thepositions, attitudes, and orientations where the seat device is in anormal state (specifically, the seat surface is on the top side and thelower ends of legs are in contact with the floor surface) unlessotherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the seat device according to the embodiment (in thefollowing, a seat device 1) has a chair main body 10 and a respirationsensor unit 20. First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , the configurations ofthe chair main body 10 and the respiration sensor unit 20 will bedescribed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outside of the seatdevice 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A is an outside view of aseat part 11 in the chair main body 10. FIG. 2B is an illustration ofthe configuration of the seat part 11, which is an explored view of thecomponents of the seat part 11. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional viewshowing the position at which the respiration sensor unit 20 is disposedin the seat part 11, which is a view showing a cross section along lineX-X in FIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is a view of the front end portion of the seatpart 11 when viewed from the lateral side.

The chair main body 10 is the part of the seat device 1 except therespiration sensor unit 20 and an awakening unit 60, described later,having a structure similar to a publicly known office chair. That is, asshown in FIG. 1 , the chair main body 10 has the seat part 11 on which aseated person is seated and a backrest portion 12 on which a seatedperson's back reclines. The seat part 11 has the outside shown in FIG.2A, and supports seated person's buttocks on the top surface. The seatpart 11 is supported by a support post 13 disposed at the position belowthe seat part 11. At the lower portion of the support post 13, leg parts14 are provided at every 60 degrees or 90 degrees about the support post13. At the tip end portions of the leg parts 14, a caster is mounted. Inthe state in which the casters are in contact with the floor surface,the seated person sits on the top surface (i.e., the seat surface) ofthe seat part 11.

In the description of the configuration of the seat part 11 withreference to FIG. 2B, the seat part 11 is configured in which a padmaterial 11 b is placed on a resin frame 11 a and this pad material 11 bis covered with a skin material 11 c. The resin frame 11 a has a sizeenough to support the pad material 11 b from below.

In the lower portion of the resin frame 11 a, a lower frame 11 d isdisposed. The lower frame 11 d is a resin frame that constitutes thelower portion of the seat part 11, supporting the resin frame 11 a frombelow. The lower frame 11 d is shaped in an oblong pentagonal shape(more strictly speaking, a home base shape) wide in the width directionof the seat part 11 having a nearly triangular front end portion.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the front end portions of the resin frame 11 a, thepad material 11 b, and the skin material 11 c are curved downward as thefront end portions come close to the front end. In other words, thefront end portion of the seat part 11 has a portion overhanging downward(in the following, an overhang portion 11 t).

The respiration sensor unit 20 is a device that measures measurementvalues relating to the state of the seated person seated on the seatpart 11, and more specifically to measurement values changingcorresponding to the wakefulness level (sleepiness) of the seatedperson. As shown in FIG. 1 , the respiration sensor unit 20 has pressuresensors 21, conductor wires (not shown) forming the transmission linesof signals outputted from the pressure sensors 21, and a conductor wireholding film 22 to which the conductor wires are adhered.

The pressure sensor 21 is formed of a publicly known pressure sensor. Aplurality of pressure sensors 21 is disposed in the seat part 11, andthe pressure sensor 21 measures a pressure (a seating pressure) appliedto the seat surface when the seated person is seated on the seat part11. Here, the seating pressure is a value that periodically changescorresponding to the physiological activities of the seated person,specifically to respiration, and is a measurement value measured at thepressure sensor 21. The seating pressures measured at the pressuresensors 21 change reflecting the wakefulness level of the seated person.In other words, the pressure sensors 21 are sensors that measure theseating pressures changing corresponding to the wakefulness level of theseated person. The pressure sensors 21 output signals corresponding tomeasurement results.

Note that in the embodiment, the pressure sensors 21 are disposed in theseat part 11 being sandwiched between the pad material 11 b and the skinmaterial 11 c near the location where the seated person's buttocks areplaced. The pressure sensors 21 are disposed being distributed in thefront to back direction and the width direction of the seat part 11.

The conductor wires form the transmission lines of signals outputtedfrom the pressure sensors 21. The conductor wire is provided on each ofthe pressure sensors 21. The conductor wire holding film 22 has atwo-layer structure having a front layer and a back layer, andsandwiches and holds the pressure sensors 21 and the conductor wiresbetween the layers. Note that the conductor wire holding film 22 isformed of a material having electrical conductivity, and made ofpolyethylene naphthalate, for example. The conductor wire holding film22 has the thickness and flexibility to the extent that the conductorwire holding film 22 can be easily deformed.

The conductor wire holding film 22 has a portion extending along thefront to back direction of the seat part 11 (in the following, a mainportion 22 a) and a portion extending from the main portion 22 a to theposition at which the pressure sensor 21 is disposed (in the following,a branch portion 22 b). In the midway portion of the main portion 22 a,a wide-width portion 22 c in width wider than the width of the otherportions is provided. The front end portion of this wide-width portion22 c has a tapered shape having the width tapered toward the front side.

The terminations of the conductor wires held on the conductor wireholding film 22 are connected to an ECU 70 (the ECU 70 will be describedlater) provided below the seat part 11. In other words, the conductorwires and the conductor wire holding film 22 are disposed so as topenetrate the seat part 11 from the top surface of the pad material 11 bto below the seat part 11. In more specific description, the resin frame11 a and the pad material 11 b are formed with a through hole. Theconductor wires and the conductor wire holding film 22 are passedthrough this through hole, and thus disposed from the top surface of thepad material 11 b toward below the seat part 11.

Note that the through hole formed on the pad material 11 b is inclinedtoward the vertical direction of the seat part 11 (in other words, thethickness direction of the pad material 11 b). Specifically, the throughhole is inclined toward the front side. In the through hole, thewide-width portion 22 c of the main portion 22 a of the conductor wireholding film 22 is disposed. Here, the through hole formed on the padmaterial 11 b as described above is inclined toward the verticaldirection of the seat part 11, and hence this further increases theentire length of the through hole. Consequently, the wide-width portion22 c can be entirely housed in the through hole.

The configuration of the seat device 1 is again described. The seatdevice 1 has the awakening unit 60 shown in FIG. 5 and other drawings.In the following, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7 , the configuration of theawakening unit 60 will be described. FIG. 5 is a view of the awakeningunit 60 when viewed from above. FIG. 6 is a view of the awakening unit60 when viewed from below. FIG. 7 is an assembly diagram of theawakening unit 60.

The awakening unit 60 has the outside shown in FIG. 5 , and is mountedbelow the seat part 11. The awakening unit 60 is a mechanism thatimproves the wakefulness level of the seated person by impartingvibrations as a physical stimulus to the seated person. The specificconfiguration of the awakening unit 60 will be described. As shown inFIGS. 5, 6, and 7 , the awakening unit 60 has a vibration impartingdevice 62, the ECU 70, a battery 72, and a holder 80.

The vibration imparting device 62 corresponds to a moving device, andperforms a vibration imparting operation in order to improve thewakefulness level of the seated person. The vibration imparting device62 is formed of an unbalance mass type motor. As shown in FIG. 7 , thevibration imparting device 62 is composed of a motor 63 and asemi-columnar rotor 64 mounted on the rotating shaft of the motor 63.The rotor 64 corresponds to a moving part. The vibration impartingdevice 62 performs the vibration imparting operation as the operation ofmoving the rotor 64, and imparts a vibration stimulus to the seatedperson. In specific description, the motor 63 is activated to rotate therotor 64, and hence periodical vibrations of the seat part 11 aregenerated. These vibrations are transmitted to the seat part 11 throughthe holder 80 and a mounting bracket 90, described later, and finallyreached on the seated person seated on the seat part 11.

The ECU 70 corresponds to a control mechanism, and controls thevibration imparting device 62. In more specific description, the ECU 70is formed of a control substrate, and connected to the terminationportions of the conductor wires extending from the pressure sensors 21through a termination terminal 71. The ECU 70 receives a signal (i.e.,the measurement result of the seating pressure) outputted from thepressure sensor 21, and performs the process of operating the presentwakefulness level of the seated person based on the signal. The ECU 70controls the vibration imparting device 62 such that vibrations aregenerated at strength and a frequency corresponding to the operatedwakefulness level. In other words, the ECU 70 controls the vibrationimparting device 62 corresponding to the measurement result of thepressure sensor 21.

In this connection, as a method of determining the wakefulness level ofthe seated person based on the measurement result of the seatingpressure, a publicly known determination method can be used. Forexample, a waveform showing a periodic change in the seating pressure isidentified from the measurement result of the pressure sensor 21, andthe wakefulness level of the seated person can be determined from thelength of the period of the waveform (for easy understanding, intervalsat which peaks appear in the waveform).

Note that as shown in FIG. 5 , the termination terminal 71 is providedon the front end portion of the ECU 70. In other words, the terminationportions of the conductor wires extending from the pressure sensors 21are drawn from the front side of the ECU 70 toward the ECU 70, andconnected to the termination terminal 71.

The battery 72 is a device that supplies electric power to the vibrationimparting device 62 and the ECU 70. Note that as shown in FIG. 7 , thebattery 72 according to the embodiment has an outside shape in a nearlyrectangular cuboid. The holder 80 is a container (a case) that holds thevibration imparting device 62, the ECU 70, and the battery 72, and hasan outside shown in FIG. 7 . In the following, the configuration of theholder 80 will be described in detail.

The holder 80 is a resin container shaped in a nearly boat shape, andhas an opening on its top end. This opening reaches the front end upperportion of the holder 80. On the lower portion of the bottom wall of theholder 80, a battery housing space (not shown) is provided. The batteryhousing space is formed in a hollow on the under surface of the bottomwall in a nearly rectangular cuboid shape. The battery 72 is fit intothis battery housing space, and the battery 72 is fixed to the bottomwall of the holder 80 with screws, for example. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the battery 72 is held on the bottom wall of the holder 80.

The holder 80 has a side wall 80 a around the bottom wall. This sidewall 80 a is provided so as to surround the bottom wall of the holder80. As shown in FIG. 7 , the vibration imparting device 62 and the ECU70 are held (housed) in the space surrounded by the side wall 80 a andthe bottom wall of the holder 80 (in the following, the internal spaceof the holder 80). In specific description, in the region located on therear side of the internal space of the holder 80, a plurality of bosses81 is provided. The boss 81 is provided in order to screw the ECU 70.Four bosses 81 are provided at positions corresponding to the cornerportions of the control substrate in a nearly rectangular shape formingthe ECU 70. As shown in FIG. 7 , the ECU 70 is housed in the rear partof the internal space of the holder 80, a screw is inserted into each ofscrew holes formed at the corner portions of the ECU 70, and the screwis fastened to the boss 81. Thus, the ECU 70 is held on the holder 80being housed in the internal space of the holder 80.

Note that as shown in FIG. 5 , in the internal space of the holder 80,the ECU 70 is held above the portion protruding in a nearly rectangularcuboid shape that forms the above-described battery housing space in thebottom wall of the holder 80.

In the internal space of the holder 80, a motor holding part 82 isprovided on the region located on the front side. This motor holdingpart 82 has a pair of vertical walls erected from the bottom wall and apair of orthogonal walls provided orthogonal to the vertical walls. Themotor 63 of the vibration imparting device 62 is fit into the latticeshaped space surrounded by the vertical walls and the orthogonal walls.After that, with the outer surface of the motor 63, a presser plate 83shown in FIG. 7 is engaged. The presser plate 83 is fixed to apredetermined portion of the holder 80 (strictly speaking, the portionprotruding in a nearly rectangular cuboid shape that forms theabove-described battery housing space in the bottom wall of the holder80). Thus, the vibration imparting device 62 is held on the motorholding part 82 with the vibration imparting device 62 including themotor 63 pressed against the motor holding part 82 by the presser plate83.

As described above, the holder 80 is configured to hold the vibrationimparting device 62, the ECU 70, and the battery 72. Thus, in theembodiment, the number of components (the number of the holders) is muchsmaller compared with the configuration in which the holders areprovided individually to the above three devices.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the awakening unit 60 described so far ismounted at the position below the front end portion of the seat part 11.In more specific description, the holder 80 holding the vibrationimparting device 62, the ECU 70, and the battery 72 is mounted on thelower frame 11 d of the seat part 11 through the mounting bracket 90.Thus, the awakening unit 60 is disposed at the position below the frontend portion of the seat part 11.

In the following, referring to FIGS. 8 to 12 , the mounting structure ofthe awakening unit 60 will be described. FIG. 8 is an illustration of amethod of mounting the awakening unit 60 on the lower frame 11 d of theseat part 11 using the mounting bracket 90. FIGS. 9A and 9B are viewsshowing the mounting bracket 90. FIG. 9A is a perspective view, and FIG.9B is a front view. FIG. 10 is a view of the awakening unit 60 mountedon the seat part 11 when viewed from above. Note that in FIG. 10 , foreasily showing the mounting state of the awakening unit 60, thecomponents (specifically, the resin frame 11 a, the pad material 11 b,and the skin material 11 c) located above the lower frame 11 d of theseat part 11 are not shown. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view takenalong line A-A in FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the areaaround the mounting bracket 90 in FIG. 3 .

First, the configuration of the mounting bracket 90 will be described.The mounting bracket 90 is a plate-shaped member, and has an outsideshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In the embodiment, the mounting bracket 90 isconfigured of a metal plate. However, the configuration is non-limitingto this. The mounting bracket 90 may be configured of a resin plate.

The mounting bracket 90 has a nearly rectangular shape when viewed fromabove. As shown in FIG. 8 , the mounting bracket 90 is fixed to thelower frame 11 d of the seat device 1 with its long side direction beingalong the width direction of the seat part 11. In specific description,in the center part of the mounting bracket 90 in the long sidedirection, a fixing hole 93 is formed. The fixing hole 93 corresponds toa plate-shaped member fixing part that is formed to fix the mountingbracket 90 to the seat part 11. Into the fixing hole 93, a bolt that isa fixing component is inserted, and the tip end portion of this bolt isfit into a bolt hole 11 e formed on the lower frame 11 d. Thus, themounting bracket 90 is fixed to the under surface of the lower frame 11d (more strictly speaking, the under surface of the front end portion ofthe lower frame 11 d).

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, at the two end portions of the mountingbracket 90 in the long side direction, a nail shaped mounting projection91 is provided. The mounting projection 91 corresponds to a mountingpart, and is a portion hanging down in a tongue shape from the edgeportion of the end portion of the mounting bracket 90 in the long sidedirection. As shown in FIG. 8 , the mounting projection 91 extends alongthe vertical direction of the seat part 11 with the mounting bracket 90fixed to the seat part 11, strictly speaking, the mounting projection 91protruding downward.

The side wall 80 a of the holder 80 is mounted on the mountingprojection 91. In other words, the side wall 80 a corresponds to amounted part mounted on the mounting projection 91. Note that asdescribed later in the embodiment, the side wall 80 a is mounted on themounting projection 91 in a predetermined mounting direction.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, in the embodiment, the mounting projection91 are provided two each at the two end portions of the mounting bracket90 in the long side direction. Here, the mounting projection 91 providedat one end portion of the mounting bracket 90 in the long side directioncorresponds to a first mounting part, and is referred to as a firstmounting projection 91 a below. The mounting projection 91 provided atthe other end portion of the mounting bracket 90 in the long sidedirection corresponds to a second mounting part, and is referred to as asecond mounting projection 91 b below.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the first mounting projection 91 a and the secondmounting projection 91 b are formed at positions apart from each otherin the long side direction of the mounting bracket 90 (in other words,in the mounting direction, described later) . The above-described fixinghole 93 is located between the first mounting projection 91 a and thesecond mounting projection 91 b in the long side direction of themounting bracket 90 (in other words, in the mounting direction,described later). In other words, the fixing hole 93 is formed betweenthe first mounting projection 91 a and the second mounting projection 91b in the long side direction of the mounting bracket 90. Thus, thisenables easy avoidance of the situations of interference with the boltinserted into the fixing hole 93 to fix the mounting bracket 90 to theseat part 11 in mounting the side wall 80 a of the holder 80 on themounting projection 91.

The first mounting projection 91 a and the second mounting projection 91b are provided two each as described above. That is, as shown in FIGS.9A and 9B, the first mounting projection 91 a is provided at twopositions apart from each other in the short side direction of themounting bracket 90. Similarly, the second mounting projection 91 b isalso provided at two positions apart from each other in the short sidedirection of the mounting bracket 90. The mounting projections 91 areindividually formed with a through hole 91 h for screwing.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, a nail shaped engagement projection 92 isprovided at one end portion of the mounting bracket 90 in the short sidedirection (specifically, the end portion located on the front side withthe mounting bracket 90 fixed to the seat part 11). The engagementprojection 92 corresponds to an engaging part, and is erected in atongue shaped from the edge portion of one end portion of the mountingbracket 90 in the short side direction. As shown in FIG. 8 , theengagement projection 92 extends along the vertical direction of theseat part 11 with the mounting bracket 90 fixed to the seat part 11,strictly speaking, the engagement projection 92 protruding upward.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the engagement projection 92 is engaged with thefront end portion of the lower frame 11 d of the seat part 11 with themounting bracket 90 fixed to the seat part 11. In other words, theengagement projection 92 is engaged with the lower frame 11 d as thefront to back direction of the seat part 11 (i.e., in the directionintersecting with the mounting direction, described later) is theengaging direction. The engagement projection 92 is thus engaged withthe lower frame 11 d, and hence prevents the mounting bracket 90 fromrotating on the lower frame 11 d. In other words, the engagementprojection 92 functions as anti-rotation against the mounting bracket90. This function more stably fixes the mounting bracket 90 to the lowerframe 11 d.

Note that as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, in the embodiment, the engagementprojection 92 is formed at two positions apart from each other in thelong side direction of the mounting bracket 90 (i.e., in the mountingdirection, described later). One engagement projection 92 corresponds toa first engaging part, and is referred to as a first engagementprojection 92 a below. Another engagement projection 92 corresponds to asecond engaging part, and is referred to as a second engagementprojection 92 b below.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, a contact projection 94 in a nail shape isprovided at the end portion on the opposite side where the engagementprojection 92 is provided in the short side direction of the mountingbracket 90. The contact projection 94 corresponds to a contact part, andis erected in a tongue shaped so as to face the engagement projection 92in the short side direction of the mounting bracket 90. As shown in FIG.8 , the contact projection 94 extends along the vertical direction ofthe seat part 11 with the mounting bracket 90 fixed to the seat part 11,strictly speaking, the contact projection 94 protruding upward. Theamount of protrusion of the contact projection 94 is smaller than theamount of protrusion of the engagement projection 92 to some extent. Inother words, the contact projection 94 is formed such that its top endis lower than the top end of the engagement projection 92.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the contact projection 94 is in contact with theunder surface of the lower frame 11 d of the seat part 11 with themounting bracket 90 fixed to the seat part 11. The contact projection 94is thus engaged with the under surface of the lower frame 11 d, andhence the mounting bracket 90 is positioned to the lower frame 11 d. Inother words, the contact projection 94 functions as the positioning ofthe mounting bracket 90. This function fixes the mounting bracket 90being positioned at a predetermined fixing position in the verticaldirection of the seat part 11.

Note that as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, in the embodiment, two contactprojections 94 are provided such that the contact projection 94corresponds to the engagement projection 92. These two contactprojections 94 are at positions apart from each other in the long sidedirection of the mounting bracket 90 (i.e., in the mounting direction,described later). One contact projection 94 corresponds to a firstcontact part, and is referred to as a first contact projection 94 abelow. Another contact projection 94 corresponds to a second contactpart, and is referred to as a second contact projection 94 b below.

Each of the contact projections 94 is provided at a positioncorresponding to each of the engagement projections 92 at the endportion of the mounting bracket 90 in the short side direction (at theend portion on the opposite side where the engagement projection 92 isprovided). In specific description, the first contact projection 94 a isprovided at the same position at which the first engagement projection92 a is provided in the long side direction of the mounting bracket 90.The second contact projection 94 b is provided at the same position atwhich the second engagement projection 92 b is provided in the long sidedirection of the mounting bracket 90.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the mounting bracket 90 is provided with arib joining the engagement projection 92 to the contact projection 94.In more specific description, between the first engagement projection 92a and the first contact projection 94 a, a first joining rib 95 a isprovided extending so as to join the first engagement projection 92 a tothe first contact projection 94 a. Between the second engagementprojection 92 b and the second contact projection 94 b, a second joiningrib 95 b is provided extending so as to join the second engagementprojection 92 b to the second contact projection 94 b. Both of the firstjoining rib 95 a and the second joining rib 95 b extend along the shortside direction of the mounting bracket 90, and their two end portionsreach the corresponding engagement projection 92 and the correspondingcontact projection 94.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the shapes of the first joining rib 95 aand the second joining rib 95 b will be described. The midway portionsof the upper end surfaces of the joining ribs (the midway portions inthe short side direction of the mounting bracket 90) are one step lowerthan the other parts. Note that the portions other than the midwayportions of the upper end surfaces of the ribs are at the same height asthe height of the top end of the corresponding contact projection 94,but slightly lower than the top end of the corresponding engagementprojection 92. Therefore, in the state in which the mounting bracket 90is fixed to the seat part 11, in the upper end surfaces of the joiningribs, the portions other than the midway portion that is one steplowered are in contact with the under surface of the lower frame 11 d ofthe seat part 11 together with the contact projection 94. Thus, thefixed state of the mounting bracket 90 can be more stabilized. In themounting bracket 90, the rigidity of the portions fixed to the lowerframe 11 d can be improved.

In this connection, in the embodiment, the under surface of the lowerframe 11 d has a curved surface gently curved in the front to backdirection. In other words, in the embodiment, the top ends of thecontact projection 94 and the joining ribs are in contact with the undersurface of the lower frame 11 d having the curved surface.

In the embodiment, the first joining rib 95 a and the second joining rib95 b are components separate from the mounting bracket 90, and aremounted on the mounting bracket 90 by welding, for example. However, theconfiguration is non-limiting to this. A configuration may be providedin which parts corresponding to the first joining rib 95 a and thesecond joining rib 95 b are formed as parts of the mounting bracket 90,and the joining ribs are integrally shaped in shaping the mountingbracket 90. For example, in processing and shaping the mounting bracket90, a bead (protrusion) may be provided at places where the firstjoining rib 95 a and the second joining rib 95 b are provided on themounting bracket 90, instead of the joining ribs.

Next, a configuration that mounts the awakening unit 60 on the seat part11 using the above-described mounting bracket 90 will be described. Inmounting the awakening unit 60, the vibration imparting device 62, theECU 70, and the battery 72 are held on the holder 80. After that, theside wall 80 a of the holder 80 is mounted on the mounting projection 91of the mounting bracket 90 (more strictly speaking, the first mountingprojection 91 a and the second mounting projection 91 b) with themounting bracket 90 fixed to the front end portion of the lower frame 11d of the seat part 11. Thus, the awakening unit 60 is mounted on theseat part 11 through the mounting bracket 90.

As shown in FIG. 8 , in the embodiment, the direction in which the sidewall 80 a of the holder 80 is mounted on the mounting projection 91,i.e., the mounting direction is along the width direction of the seatpart 11. In more specific description, the mounting bracket 90 is fixedto the lower frame 11 d of the seat part 11 with the long side directionof the mounting bracket 90 being along the width direction of the seatpart 11. At the two end portions of the mounting bracket 90 in the longside direction, the mounting projections 91 protruding downward areprovided.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the holder 80 holding the vibration impartingdevice 62, the ECU 70, and the battery 72 is brought close to themounting bracket 90 from below the mounting bracket 90. The holder 80 isthen reached at the position at which the mounting bracket 90 is housedin the inside of the side wall 80 a. In other words, the mountingbracket 90 is entered into the internal space of the holder 80, and themounting projections 91 are adjacent to the side wall 80 a in the insideof the side wall 80 a (strictly speaking, in the side wall 80 a, theportion located at the end portion of the seat part 11 in the widthdirection). In other words, the mounting projections 91 are covered withthe side wall 80 a from the outer side of the seat part 11 in the widthdirection.

As shown in FIG. 7 , at the portion of the side wall 80 a adjacent tothe mounting projection 91, a mounting hole 80 b is formed. The mountinghole 80 b is formed at a plurality of places corresponding to the numberof the mounting projections 91 and the positions of the mountingprojections 91 (specifically, four places). The mounting holes 80 bcommunicate with the through holes 91 h of the corresponding mountingprojections 91 (specifically, the mounting projections 91 at theopposite positions). Into both of the mounting hole 80 b and the throughhole 91 h communicating with each other, a tapping screw T that is amounting component is inserted in the direction along the widthdirection of the seat part 11. Thus, the side wall 80 a of the holder 80is mounted on the mounting projection 91.

As described above, in the embodiment, the side wall 80 a of the holder80 is mounted on the mounting projections 91, the mounting direction isalong the width direction of the seat part 11. With such aconfiguration, the holder 80 can be more easily mounted on the lowerframe 11 d of the seat part 11. In more specific description, forexample, in the case in which the holder 80 is directly mounted on thelower frame 11 d with the tapping screw T, the tapping screw T is to bemanipulated along the vertical direction of the seat part 11 (strictlyspeaking, the tapping screw T is directed upward). In contrast to this,in the embodiment, the tapping screw T is manipulated from the lateralside (i.e., along the width direction of the seat part 11), and hencethe manipulation of the screw becomes more easily. Consequently, theawakening unit 60 including the holder 80 is more easily mounted on thelower frame 11 d.

In the state in which the side wall 80 a of the holder 80 is mounted onthe mounting projection 91, the mounting bracket 90 is located in theholder 80. In other words, as shown in FIG. 10 , the mounting projection91 is covered with the side wall 80 a of the holder 80 in the widthdirection of the seat part 11 (i.e., in the mounting direction) . Asdescribed above, in the embodiment, the side wall 80 a eliminates theexposure of the mounting projection 91 with the awakening unit 60mounted on the seat part 11. Thus, the outside of the seat device 1including the awakening unit 60 can be made excellent. Morespecifically, the event that the mounting projection 91 is seen from thelateral side can be avoided.

The front end portion of the seat part 11 has the overhang portion 11 toverhanging downward. As shown in FIG. 4 , the overhang portion 11 t islocated on the front side of the front end of the holder 80 with theside wall 80 a of the holder 80 mounted on the mounting projection 91.In this state, the overhang portion 11 t covers at least a part of thefront end of the holder 80 in the front to back direction of the seatpart 11. In more specific description, the overhang portion 11 t coversthe opening reaching the upper portion of the front end of the holder80. Thus, the front end portion of the holder 80 (specifically, theportion near the opening) is protected by the cover of the overhangportion 11 t.

Other Embodiments

The configuration of the seat device according to the present inventionis described so far taking an example. However, the above-describedembodiment is provided for easily understanding the present invention,and does not limit the present invention. That is, of course, thepresent invention can be modified and altered without deviating from itsgist, and the present invention includes the equivalents ofmodifications and alterations.

In the foregoing embodiment, the vibration imparting device 62 thatimproves the wakefulness level of the seated person is used as a movingdevice. However, the configuration is non-limiting to this. Devices thatimprove the wakefulness level of the seated person by a stimulus otherthan vibrations can also be used, such as a device that generates(reproduces) sound, for example. The application of the moving device isnot limited to awakening. The moving device may be used for otherapplications, specifically, the applications that adjust the state ofthe seated person (e.g. tension level) other than the wakefulness level.

In the foregoing embodiment, the side wall 80 a of the holder 80 ismounted on the mounting projection 91 of the mounting bracket 90 withthe tapping screw T, and the mounting direction (the screw manipulationdirection) is along the width direction of the seat part 11. However,the configuration is non-limiting to this. The mounting direction may bealong the front to back direction of the seat part 11. That is, aconfiguration may be provided in which the mounting projection 91 isprovided at the front end or the rear end of the edge portion of themounting bracket 90 and the tapping screw T is manipulated along thefront to back direction of the seat part 11 in mounting the side wall 80a of the holder 80 on the mounting projection 91.

In the foregoing embodiment, the tapping screw T is used as a componentthat mounts the holder 80 on the mounting bracket 90. However, theconfiguration is non-limiting to this. A structure may be adopted inwhich the holder 80 can be mounted on the mounting bracket 90 with acomponent other than the tapping screw T. For example, a snap-fitstructure or a fitting structure using projections and depressions maybeadopted. In the case in which such a mounting structure is adopted, theholder 80 may be mounted on the mounting bracket 90 in the verticaldirection of the seat part 11.

Reference Signs List

1: Seat device

10: Chair main body

11: Seat part

-   -   11 a: Resin frame    -   11 b: Pad material    -   11 c: Skin material    -   11 d: Lower frame (frame)    -   11 e: Bolt hole    -   11 f: Recessed part    -   11 t: Overhang portion (portion overhanging downward)

12: Backrest portion

13: Support post

14: Leg part

20: Respiration sensor unit

21: Pressure sensor (sensor)

22: Conductor wire holding film

-   -   22 a: Main portion    -   22 b: Branch portion    -   22 c: Wide-width portion

60: Awakening unit

62: Vibration imparting device (moving device)

63: Motor

64: Rotor (moving part)

70: ECU (control mechanism)

71: Termination terminal

72: Battery

80: Holder (Cover)

-   -   80 a: Side wall (mounted part)    -   80 b: Mounting hole    -   80 c: Concavity part

81: Boss

82: Motor holding part

83: Presser plate

90: Mounting bracket (plate-shaped member)

91: Mounting projection (mounting part)

-   -   91 a: First mounting projection (first mounting part)    -   91 b: Second mounting projection (second mounting part)    -   91 h: Through hole

92: Engagement projection (engaging part)

-   -   92 a: First engagement projection (first engaging part)    -   92 b: Second engagement projection (second engaging part)

93: Fixing hole (plate-shaped member fixing part)

94: Contact projection (contact part)

-   -   94 a: First contact projection (first contact part)    -   94 b: Second contact projection (second contact part)    -   95 a: First joining rib    -   95 b: Second joining rib

T: Tapping screw

1. A seat device comprising: a seat part on which a seated person isseated; a sensor configured to measure a measurement value relating to astate of the seated person seated on the seat part; a moving devicehaving a moving part, the moving device being configured to perform anoperation of moving the moving part; a control mechanism configured tocontrol the operation of the moving device corresponding to ameasurement result of the sensor; a holder holding the controlmechanism; and a plate-shaped member fixed to the seat part such thatthe holder is mounted on the seat part, wherein the plate-shaped memberincludes a mounting part on which a mounted part of the holder ismounted in a predetermined mounting direction, and in a state in whichthe mounted part is mounted on the mounting part, the mounting part iscovered.